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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

2013 Toyota Vios Set for Bangkok Motor Show Reveal?

Spy Shots courtesy of Sohu Auto

The second-generation Toyota Vios has been in the market since 2007 which means a full model change is long overdue. Now, reports indicate a possible global unveil at the 2013 Bangkok International Motor Show in March.
In a speech commemorating Toyota's 50th Anniversary of operations in Thailand, Toyota Motor Corporation President Mr. Akio Toyoda says he is excited about the upcoming Toyota vehicles including a new compact car which will be built at Toyota's Thailand plant and unveiled to the public at the 2013 Bangkok International Motor Show. Putting two and two together indicates the strong possibility (read: 90 percent) that the all-new Vios will bow in by March.

Though details are sketchy at the moment, there are several prototype vehicles already running around in Thailand and elsewhere pointing towards the fact that the all-new Vios will be built as a global car. With the front and rear portions of the car taped and covered, it's hard to make out the all-new Vios's design. However, it should look pretty similar to the Toyota Dear Qin Concept which debuted at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. After all, the Dear Qin Concept was designed with affordability and first-time car buyers in mind.

The Toyota Dear Qin Concept is said to be the all-new Vios's design.

In the only spy shots circulating around the Internet (courtesy of Chinese auto website Sohu Auto) looks like the Vios will take a very big leap in terms of design. It looks like it it eschew the current curvy design for something more angular and aggressive. In fact, the Vios is said to carry the very same split-grille design now seen in the Toyota RAV4. Inside, the Vios will lose the central gauges in favor of traditionally placed ones. In terms of drivetrain, it's likely the 1.5-liter VVTi will carry on, but may swap the four-speed automatic for a different gearbox (CVT, perhaps?).

Details of the all-new Toyota Vios will certainly become more and more available once the Bangkok Motor Show draws near. And yes, we'll be live from the show floor to give you some close-up shots in case the all-new Vios does appear on Toyota's stands.